Pineapple is a fruit that is really delicious. It is refreshing, nutritious and very diuretic, so it is ideal to introduce into your diet and take advantage of all its benefits for the body. But there are some people to whom pineapple causes a strange reaction on the tongue: it causes itching, redness and / or swelling. Why does this happen?
Experts have determined that it is due to two of its substances, bromelain and oxalic acid, components that are part of this delicious fruit but that, also, can produce itching on the tongue or palate of some people. If you've ever wondered “Why do I feel itchy on my tongue when eating pineapple?” and no one has been able to answer you, keep reading this article in which we discover the answer.
Bromelain, one of the culprits of the itchy tongue
If you want to know why you feel itchy on the tongue when eating pineapple, the first thing you have to know is that pineapple contains bromelain, one of the substances responsible for this itching. Bromelain is a mixture of different enzymes that are responsible for digesting the proteins of food, it is a substance that we also find in many other foods but that, in the case of pineapple, is in greater quantities.
When bromelain comes into contact with sensitive skin, it can cause itching on the tongue or other parts of the mouth such as the palate, throat, etc. Although it is a somewhat annoying reaction, the truth is that it is not dangerous: what bromelain is really doing is breaking down proteins.
This type of enzyme is found throughout the pineapple but, it is true, that it is in the area of the stem where a greater amount is concentrated, for this reason, it is common for people who suffer this reaction to eat the juiciest part of the fruit but, however, they must leave the hardest and fibrous parts.
Oxalic acid, another culprit of itchy tongue
Another reason why you can feel itchy on the tongue when eating pineapple is due to oxalic acid, a type of acid that is also found in other ingredients such as, for example, chard, beets, etc., and that is another of the causes of itching in this area of the body.
It is believed that pineapple has a greater amount of such acid in its composition and that, due to this, it produces this sensation of itching, swelling or redness; however, the exact amounts of this substance are unknown.
This acid can also affect people with other health conditions, such as those with kidney problems. The reason is that acid can lead to create crystals in the kidneys, especially when they come into contact with foods that contain a lot of calcium.
If your tongue itches when you eat pineapple, you have surely noticed that, normally, those that are greener than the most mature tend to cause you more itching. The reason is that greens have a higher concentration of this acid and, therefore, usually causes a higher reaction in people with sensitive skin.
Pineapple allergy, another reason for itching
But the itching on the tongue by pineapple can also appear for another health reason: suffering from a food allergy to this fruit. Although it is not very common, it is true that it may be possible that this itching or swelling of the tongue is due, precisely, to an allergic reaction.
Although you should keep in mind that allergic reactions will not only focus on producing a slight itching or discomfort, but are usually accompanied by other symptoms such as the following:
- Itching on the tongue and mouth in general
- Swelling of the tongue and face
- Swelling of other parts of the body due to the allergic reaction
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Taste like metal in the mouth
- Nasal congestion
Therefore, feeling a little itchy tongue when eating pineapple does not have to mean suffering from an allergy, it may simply be that oxalic acid or bromelain (discussed above) are causing this reaction in your body. Anyway, in we recommend that if the itching does not decrease or if the swelling is significant, go to your doctor to perform allergy tests and determine whether or not you suffer from pineapple allergy.
Anyway, if the itching is very annoying, it is best to stop eating natural pineapple and, failing that, make other preparations with the fruit such as, for example, a pineapple juice, a smoothie, etc.
In this other article we tell you how a food allergy develops so that you learn to know the symptoms of it and detect if any food may be producing an adverse reaction.
